Hair and skin condition means



R. J. TOLME HAIR ND SKIN CONDITION MEANS vDec. 13, E966 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April e, 1965 A Hofe/ffy Dec. 1'3, 966 R. J. TOLMIE 3,290,775

HAIR AND SKIN CONDITION MEANS Filed April 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet .a

INVENTOR. Raaf-erf 7a4/wf @Ary/bm from/Ey United States Patent C) 3,290,775 HAIR AND SKIN CONDITION MEANS Robert J. Tolmie, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 445,987 Claims. (Cl. 30-34.2)

The present invention relates to electric `dry Shavers and more particularly to novel hair and skin conditioning means for electric dry shavers.

It is the usual practice in the manufacture of electric dry shavers to provide a cutter head which includes a stationary cutter and a movable cutter which is arranged in cutting cooperatio-n with the stationary cutter. In some electric dry shavers, the cutter head comprises an elongated metal outer cutter having a skin engaging portion and within which outer cutter is mounted a reciprocatory inner cutter. A plurality of transverse slots are provided in the skin engaging portion of the outer cutter for receiving hair which is positioned by the walls of the slots for cutting by the movable inner cutter.

It is known that hair bristles will be cut closer to the skin by the movable cutter as the thickness of those portions of the outer cutter in cutting engagement with the inner cutter are reduced. The thinner these portions are formed the closer the hair bristles will be cut to the skin. Conversely, however, irritating etlfects to the skin of the user are proportionally increased as these portions of the cutter head are made thinner. These irritating effects will vary in accordance with the characteristics of a persons skin and in some instances are attributable to the fact that portions of the users skin are combed int-o the hair reception slots and brought into contact with the inner cutter.

In the past, various means have been used in attempts to alleviate these irritations. These means have included various mechanisms mounted adjacent the cutter head and which mechanisms are adapted to bulge the skin in advance of the cutter head to flatten or tension the skin as it nears the cutter `head to raise the hair bristles for entry into the hair reception slots of the cutter head. Problems are encountered in use of these various devices in that, for example, gaps are established between the cutter head and the adjacent mechanisms which results in bulging of the skin between the cutter head and the mechanisms. The latter portions of skin are thereby drawn into the hair reception slots to produce irritation of the users skin.

It is an object of this invention to provide novel hair and skin conditioning mean-s for an electric dry shaver.

Another object is to provide novel hair and skin conditioning means and which means include novel means for guiding hair into the reception slots of a cutter head and which means is effective to substantially reduce irritations and provide for a comfortable and close shaving operation.

A further object is to provide novel hair and `skin lconditioning means for maintaining skin in flattened condition in advance of the cutter head and as the hair enters into the hair reception slots of the cutter head.

Another object is to provide a novel hair and skin conditioning member for guiding hair into a cutter head and which member includes novel mounting means whereby the conditioning member is disposed closely adjacent the cutter head.

A still further object is to'provide a novel skin conditioning member and mounting means therefor for aligning hair guiding slots in the conditioning member each with a hair reception slot in the cutter head whereby said guide slots provide extensions of the hair reception slots.

Mice

The present invention contemplates novel hair and skin conditioning means for an electric dry shaver. In one embodiment, a skin conditioning member is provided which includes an elongated frame member having resilient sidewalls clamped to a support member. portion of the frame member is provided for engaging and flattening the skin in advance of the cutter head and which bight portion is provided with a plurality of spaced transverse guiding slots. Means are provided for mounting the support member on the shaver casing and which means includes means for laterally adjusting the support member to align the guide slots with the hair reception slots of the shaver cutter head. The configuration of the support member is such that the conditioning member is positioned closely adjacent the cutter head whereby skin is prevented from entering the cutter head and whereby the guide slots provided a continuation of the hair reception slots.

The above `and others objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein two embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the upper portion of an electric dry shaver embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the parts of the conditioning means and mounting means therefor; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the conditioning rneans and mounting means therefor; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end cross sectional View of the conditioning means and cutter head unit shown on the right in FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a View `similar to FIG. 4 and illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the lines 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is `a fragmentary plan view of a corner portion of the cutter head and hair conditioning means of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings for a more detailed description of the present invention, an upper portion of an electric dry shaver casing is generally indicated'by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1. A cutter head receptacle 11 is provided between the upper portions, of spaced endwalls 12 and spaced sidewalls 13 (only one shown in FIG. 1) of casing 10. A cutter head 15 of a usual type construction is disposed in receptacle 11 and which cutter head 15 includes a pair of spaced cutter head units 18 and 20. Each cutter head unit 18 and 20, as shown with respect to cutter head. unit 20, includes an elongated inverted U-shaped outer cutter 21 having a bight portion 22 and spaced sidewalls 23 and 24. An elongated movable inner cutter 25 (partly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 )is disposed in outer cutter 21. Inner cutter 25 is substantially rectangular in cross section (FIG. 4) and is maintained in cutting cooperation with outer cutter 21 against the underside of bight portion 22 in a known manner, as for example by a leaf spring 26 (partly shown in FIG. 4). Leaf spring 26 is seated on a drive arm 27 of a motor (not shown) housed in a suitable manner in casing 10 and which drive arm 27 is adapted to move inne-r cutter 25 in the directions designated by the arrows A and B in FIG. 2 upon operation of the motor.

The top surface 28- of inner cutter 25 (FIG. 2) engages the underside of bight portion 22 of outer cutter 21 and is provided with a longitudinally extending channel portion 29 and which channel portion 29 is disposed within a longitudinally extending channel portion 30 provided in bight portion 22. Bight portion 22 A bight i 3 is provided with a plurality of transverse hair reception slots 32 at each side of chanel 30. Teeth 33 (FIG. 2) are provided in inner cutter 25 and which teeth 33 are adapted to cut hair that enters hair reception slots 32 when inner cutter 25 is reciprocated within outer cutter 21.

The structure thus far described represents conventional structure as found in known electric dry shavers. It has been found. that in use of electric dry Shavers of this general type that when the cutter head is transversed back and forth against a users skin during use that irritating sensations will often be caused if skin is drawn into the hair reception slots together with the hair bristles being cut. It is a feature of this invention to provide novel means for conditioning the skin and hair in advance of a cutter head of the type described whereby any irritating sensations are substantially reduced.

To this end, novel conditioning means 35 and 36 (FIG. l) are provided at each side of cutter head 15. Conditioning means 35 and 36 are identical and the description thereof will therefore be hereinafter directed to conditioning means 36. Conditioning means 36 includes an elongated frame member 37 (FIGS. 3 and` 4) formed of a resilient metal material. Frame member 37 includes a longitudinally extending top surface 38 from which depend a pair of longitudinally extending resilient legs 39 and 40. Top surface 38 inclines downwardly (FIG. 3) from the upper edge 39a of leg 39 and merges with a rounded bulge portion 41 extending along the leading edge of top surface 38 and which bulge portion 41 extends downwardly into leg 40. A plurality of hair guide slots 42 are formed in top surface 38 and which slots 42 extend transversely through bulge 41 and across surface 33 into the upper portion of leg 39 of frame 37. Legs 39-40 of frame 37 (FIG. 4) are clamped to the opposite sides of an elongated support member 43. Cutyout portions 44 are provided. in the spaced lower side edges of leg 39 (FIG. 3) and which cutout portions 44 are press-fitted into positioning lugs 45 provided on the rear surface (FIG. 3) of upright projections 46 formed at the opposite ends of support 43 to maintain frame 37 in a predetermined position `on support 43 and prevent lateral movement of frame 37 thereon.

Means are provided to mount conditioning means 36 on casing and which means include spacedy depending ear portions 47 formed at the opposite ends of support 43. Ears 47 project away at right angles from the spaced lower corners (FIG. 4) of support 43 and are each provided with an aperture 48. Means 36 is mounted on casing 1i) by inserting support 43 into cutter head receptacle 11 and aligning apertures 48 in ears 47 with spaced apertures 49 (one shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) provided in sidewall 13 of casing 10. Leg 39 of frame 37 is positioned by support 43 to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of adjacent cutter head 20 closely adjacent to sidewall 24 -of outer cutter 21. Lugs 45 extend through cutout portions 44 in leg 39 and space leg 39 from sidewall 24 (FIG. 4). Apertures 49 in sidewall of casing 10 are of lesser diameter than apertures 48 so that when apertures 48 of support 43 are aligned therewith, support 43 may be moved laterally relative to sidewall 13 of casing 10 to align guide slots 42 in frame 37 each with a hair reception slot 32 in the adjacent outer cutter 21 with guide slots 42 providing a continuation of hair reception slots 32. When conditioning means 36 is positioned in the latter manner on casing 10 suitable securing means such as an expandable rivet Sil (FIG. 4) is inserted in each pair of apertures 48-49 to secure support 43 in xed position to sidewall 13. In the xed position of frame 37 the leading edge 51 (FIG. 4) of the adjacent outer cutter 23 is preferably spaced slightly above top surface 38 of frame 37 as seen in FIG. 4, for purposes to be hereinafter explained.

In accordance with this arrangement when shaver 10 is drawn across la persons face, as shown schematically in .'FIG. 4, bulge portion 41 of lconditioning means 36 flattens the skin in advance of cutter head 15 and combs hair bristles through guide slots 42 directly into the aligned hair reception slots 32 of the adjacent outer cutter 21. Top surface 38 of frame 37 maintains the skin flat as the hair bristles pass through guide slots 42 and as the attened skin reaches cutter head 15 leading edge 51 of outer cutter 21 engages the skin and maintains the skin at as the hair enters the hair reception slots 32. The position of frame 37 closely adjacent sidewall 24, of outer cutter 21 prevents the skin from bulging and entering slots 32 in the area designated x in FIG. 4 between conditioning means 36 and cutter head 15. The slightly raised position of leading edge 51 of outer cutter 21 above surface 38 `of frame 3'7 provides for a closer shaving operation in that leading edge 51 not only maintains the skin flat but also picks up the hair bristles as they pass from guide slots 42 at a slight angular position whereby the hair is effectively cut closer to the skin by inner cutter 25.

In FIGS. 5 to 7 is shown a modification of the present invention and illustrates another form of a skin and hair conditioning means which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 56 in FIG. 5. Means 56 conditions the skin and hair in the same manner as described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. l to 4 and comprises =a frame member 57 of suitable resilient metallic material having a top surface 58 from which depend' longitudinally extending front and rear legs 59 and 60 respectively. Top surface 58 is provided with a plurality of transverse guide slots 62 which extend from a bulge portion 63 provided along the leading edge of top surface 58 and .across surface 58 into the upper portion of rear leg 59.

Frame 57 (FIG. 6) is mounted on the rear surface of sidewall 13 of casing 1@ tov lie closely adjacent sidewall 23 of outer cutter 21 of cutter head unit 20. To this end a pair of elongated slots 64 are provided in spaced depending portions 65 of front leg 60 of frame 57 and which slots 64 are tted over spaced pins 66 on sidewall 13 to secure frame 57 to casing 10. In accordance with the latter arrangement frame 57 is mounted for lateral movement on pins 66 relative to sidewall 13 whereby frame 57 may be readily adjusted to align guide slots 62 with hair reception slots 42 in outer cutter 21. Frame member 57 (as seen in FIG, 5) is tensioned on sidewall 13 in the direction of cutter head 2t) whereby in mounted position on casing 10 the spaced upper corners of rear leg 59 (as shown with respect to one corner thereof in FIG. 6) lie against abutments 68 on endwalls 12 of casing 10 to space frame 57 the selected distance x from leading edge 51 of outer cutter 21.

It will be apparent from the foregoing descriptions that the novel conditioning means has many advantages in use. One advantage among others is that economical and effective means are provided for reducing irritations normally encountered in the use of electric dry shavers and which means is effective to prevent skin from contacting the movable cutter of the cutter head. A still further advantage is that the portions of the stationary cutter which contact the inner cutter may be made to thinner dimensions to allow for a close shaving operation without irritating the skin of a user since the skin is prevented from entering the hair reception slots by the conditioning means. Further, the latter portions may be made thinner without' changing the dimensions of the conditioning means thereby providing a savings in manufacturing procedures. In addition, the novel conditioning means, if desired, may be readily mounted on an adjusting mechanism of the type shown, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,148,447 entitled Comb Roller Adjustment Mechanism for Electric Dry Shaver whereby the conditioning means may be raised or lowered relative to the side cutting edge of the cutter head in accordance with the needs of the user for effecting various hair trimming operations.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Various changes can be made in the design and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the lart.

What is claimed is:

1. Hair `conditioning means adapted for attachment to an electric dry shaver provided with a cutter head having a skin engaging cutter member formed with -a plurality of hair reception slots, said hair conditioning means comprising,`

(a) a resilient frame member having a plurality of guide slots provided in a surface portion thereof,

(b) spaced leg members on said frame member,

(c) `one of said leg members mounted on the shaver and positioning said frame member adjacent said skin engaging member with said surface portion spaced beneath the skin engaging surface of the cutter head and with said guide slots each in alignment with a hair receptionslot, and

(d) means for biasing said frame member in mounted position in the direction of the said cutter head,

(e) said surface portion of said frame member adapted to engage .and maintain flat the skin in advance of the cutter head as hair to be cut is guided through said guide slots into the hair reception slots of the cutter member.

2. In an electric dry shaver,

(a) a casing,

(b) a cutter headJ disposed in said casing and including an outer cutter,

(c) said outer cutter comprising an elongated inverted U-shaped `member having a flat skin engaging bight portion and a pair of spaced sidewalls depending from the longitudinal side edges of the bight portion,

( d) said outer cutter having a plurality of transversely extending hair reception slots formed in said bight Iportion and extending into the upper edge of at least one of said sidewalls,

(e) hair conditioning means associated with said cutter head and including an elongated combing member having a substantially iiat surface portion with a plurality of transverse guide slots provided therein at intervals corresponding to the intervals of said hair reception slots, and

(f) means mounting said combing member on said cas- `ing adjacent said one of said sidewalls and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer cutter with said guide slots each aligned with -a corresponding hair reception slot to provide a continuation of said last last mentioned slot,

`(g) Said mounting means adapted to mount said at surface portion of the Ombing member beneath the surface of said bight portion, said at surface portion adapted to atten the skin in advance of the cutter head and simultaneously guide the hair to be cut through the guide slots and into the corresponding hair reception slots in the said one sidewall of the outer cutter.

3. In an electric dry shaver as set forth in claim 2 wherein said mounting means includes a portion of said combing member depending therefrom for engagement with said casing, and means for attaching said comb member portion on said casing for lateral movement relative to said outer cutter whereby said combing member is positionable laterally on said casing to align said guide slots with said Ihair reception slots.

4. The electric dry shaver of claim 2 wherein said mounting means for said combing member include an elongated support member having a rst portion mounted on said casing and having a second portion supporting and positioning said combing member, and said second p0rtion projecting away from said first portion to lie adja- -cent the sidewall of said outer cutter.

5. Hair conditioning means for an electric dry shaver having a cutter head provided with .a skin engaging surface formed with a plurality of transversely extending hair reception slots, said conditioning means comprising,

(a) a frame member including a substantially flat surface portion having a plurality of guide slots provided therein,

(b) said frame member further including a resilient leg extending from said at surface portion,

(c) positioning means on the shaver,

-(d) said positioning means including means for affixing said resilient leg to the shaver to mount said frame, said ilat surface portion is positioned adjacent to and beneath the skin engaging surface of the cutter head with said guide slots aligned with the hair reception slots of the cutter head, and

(e) said flat surface portion of said frame member `adapted to atten the skin in advance of the cutter head and maintain the skin in flattened condition as hair to be cut passes through said aligned slots.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,049,574 8/ 1936 Stein "S0-43.92 X 2,143,896 i1/l939 Nyhagen 30-43.91 X 2,215,650 9/1940 Nyhagen 30-43 '2,238,886 4/1941 Jensen 30-34.2 2,991,554 7/1961 Somers et al. 30-34.2 3,107,423 10/ 1963 Caesar 30-90 3,191,296 6/1965 Locke 30-34.2

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner, MYRON C- KRUSE, Examiner? 

1. HAIR CONDITIONING MEANS ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO AN ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER PROVIDED WITH A CUTTER HEAD HAVING A SKIN ENGAGING CUTTER MEMBER FORMED WITH A PLURALITY OF HAIR RECEPTION SLOTS, SAID HAIR CONDITIONING MEANS COMPRISING, (A) A RESILIENT FRAME MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF GUIDE SLOTS PROVIDED IN A SURFACE PORTION THEREOF, (B) SPACED LEG MEMBERS ON SAID FRAME MEMBER, (C) ONE OF SAID LEG MEMBERS MOUNTED ON THE SHAVER AND POSITIONING SAID FRAME MEMBER ADJACENT SAID SKIN ENGAGING MEMBER WITH SAID SURFACE PORTION SPACED BENEATH THE SKIN ENGAGING SURFACE OF THE CUTTER HEAD AND WITH SAID GUIDE SLOTS EACH IN ALIGNMENT WITH A HAIR RECEPTION SLOT, AND (D) MEANS FOR BIASING SAID FRAME MEMBER IN MOUNTED POSITION IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SAID CUTTER HEAD, (E) SAID SURFACE PORTION OF SAID FRAME MEMBER ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND MAINTAIN FLAT THE SKIN IN ADVANCE OF THE CUTTER HEAD AS HAIR TO BE CUT IN GUIDED THROUGH SAID GUIDE SLOTS INTO THE HAIR RECEPTION SLOTS OF THE CUTTER MEMBER. 